June 11/12 20:42 pm - Air Force Cycling Classic Men

Posted by Editoress on 06/11/12

United HealthCare takes overall Victory

Saturday - Clarendon Cup

The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team's Robert Förster (GER) won the Air Force Cycling Classic's Clarendon Cup on Saturday, June 9th, in Arlington, Virginia. Known as one of the most difficult criterium races in America due to technical demands of the course and the quality of participants, Förster was able to bring home the victory for his UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team thanks to a full-throttle effort and a well-timed and executed lead out.

On a day where the Team was racing on behalf of its title sponsor's Children's Foundation (UHCCF – The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation), capturing the top step on the podium could not have been sweeter and hold more significance. Commenting on the race, General Manager and Team Director, Mike Tamayo, said, “US Air Force is a race that is dear to our hearts. As a Team, we've been able to win it three years in a row. This year, we are donating our prize money the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation, so it makes it a bit more special.”

Tamayo continued, “Robert and the boys executed well on a hot day today and the Team rode a textbook criterium. Also, Team Exergy did a bang up job riding together and dominating 20 laps. Our execution of the Blue Train was perfect and it delivered Robert to the top of the podium, a result we are definitely pleased with.”

Förster said of his performance, “We haven't been so lucky as of late, but we always make sure we are working as a Team to put ourselves in the best position to win. Our Team is dangerous and we raced with a lot of motivation today as we were racing for the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation.”

“I was a bit surprised being in the top group after 30 laps,” he continued. “This was a tough race with 500 curves on a very hot day. At the end though, our Blue Train worked super and put me in a position to bring the thing home for our Team.”

Sunday - Crystal City Cup

Following up on Teammate Robert Förster's (GER) win Saturday in the Air Force Cycling Classic's Clarendon Cup, Jake Keough (USA) and Hilton Clarke (AUS) combined for another Team UnitedHealthcare one-two podium punch, capturing first and second place at the Crystal City Cup earlier today, Sunday, June 10, in Crystal City, Virginia. Keough's win wrapped up a two-day sweep of the Air Force Classic's Saturday-Sunday weekend cycling extravaganza in the Nation's capital.

General Manager and Team Director, Mike Tamayo, commented on the Team's performance today, saying, “Our lead out was dialed in today. The responsibility was on our shoulders to control the race and the boys executed to perfection. Robert (Förster) crashed hard but got back in to help the lead out in support of his Teammates. He is a true Teammate.”

Förster went down late in the race, but was ok and able to immediately get back into the race and help lead his Teammates to victory.

Following the race, an enthusiastic Keough stated emphatically, “The boys rode a lead textbook lead out this afternoon. Frösi's crash left us a bit shorthanded but everyone continued to work hard and we earned the win today!”